14:15 Catterick

Thursday 28 December 2023

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:23

Sky Bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:19 | Winning time: 4m 4.60s

Alanine^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J J Davies

250/1

Placed on first of 2 starts in points but showed only modest form at best on the Flat. Well held on her completed start over hurdles in recent weeks.

Form: 35-F8

Brief Statement^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

18/1

Easy winner of sole start in Irish points. Looks to be being brought along gradually over hurdles, patiently ridden when fourth of 5 in novice at Doncaster (19.5f, good) 24 days ago. Sort to do better in due course.

Form: 1-54

Izzy Bell^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 86

125/1

Has yet to better poor form so easily passed over.

Form: P36-P6P

Lavida Adiva²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 109

6/5

Winning pointer who has shaped well when placed in novice hurdles around 2½m at Kelso and Musselburgh in recent months. Down in trip. Should make her presence felt again.

Form: 132

Milltown Lily^t⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond

66/1

Modest maiden handicapper on Flat. Remote fifth on completed start over hurdles last winter. Fit from Flat. Others are preferred.

Form: 5R-

Miss Applejack⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| D

16/1

Left debut form well behind when landing an 11-runner bumper at Ludlow in May. Backed it up with a creditable third prior to facing a stiff task when well held on last month's return at Cheltenham. Makes hurdle debut. Respected.

Form: 8-130

Parkin Fine⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

2/1

Off 22 months but showed promise when second of 10 in novice at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) on hurdles bow 44 days ago. The one to beat with improvement likely.

Form: 65/2

Purple Gown²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: A Nicol| BF

40/1

Fair Flat winner. Fifth of 12 in handicap (7/2) at Newcastle (12.5f) 20 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Hurdle debut.

Form:

Sister Julienne⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

8/1

Modest form when placed on the first two of 3 bumpers starts and ran to a similar level when second of 6 on her 2m Hereford hurdle debut in October. Early days but improvement will be needed.

Form: 327-2

Strong Belle⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

8/1

Didn't kick on in bumpers but she did show some promise when runner-up on hurdles debut at Huntingdon in October. Very disappointing at Ludlow since, though.

Form: 384-62P

Non-Runners

Lady Hobbs²¹⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: Paul Collins J: Ross Chapman

Presently⁴⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Rialannah¹³

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Nick Scholfield

She Won't Mind²⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: T Reed J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lavida Adiva (6/5), Parkin Fine (2/1), Sister Julienne (8/1), Strong Belle (8/1), Presently (14/1), Miss Applejack (16/1), Brief Statement (18/1), Rialannah (25/1), Purple Gown (40/1), Milltown Lily (66/1), She Won't Mind (66/1), Lady Hobbs (100/1), Izzy Bell (125/1), Alanine (250/1)

This looks a decent opportunity for PARKIN FINE to build on her promising first run over hurdles at Huntingdon. Lavida Adiva looks clear pick of the rest with hurdle experience, while bumper-winner Miss Applejack should also be up to making an impact in a race like this now hurdling.